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Science Quickly

How to Become an Urban Naturalist

Science Quickly

Scientific American

Science

4.31.4K Ratings

🗓️ 25 April 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Wild NYC author Ryan Mandelbaum takes host Rachel Feltman through New York City’s Prospect Park to find urban wildlife. They explore the city’s many birds, surprising salamanders and unexpected urban oases. Plus, they discuss what the rules of engagement with wildlife are and how you can find wildlife in your own urban or suburban environment.  Recommended reading: Read Wild NYC: Experience the Amazing Nature in and around New York City, which is out now. Listen to our episode on protecting wildlife wherever you are.  E-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.  Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Alex Sugiura with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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Terms and conditions apply. Hi, I'm Clara Moskowitz, senior editor for space and physics at Scientific

0:34.4

American. Like many kids, I once dreamed of becoming an astronaut. While I

0:38.7

never made it to space, my work at Scientific American has given me the next best thing, exploring the

0:44.3

cosmos through stories and sharing its wonders with science lovers like you. When I research a story,

0:50.1

I immerse myself in the reporting to bring you an exciting and accurate account. Over the years,

0:55.4

I've covered breathtaking rocket launches, visited one of the world's highest altitude telescopes in Chile,

1:01.3

and even trained for suborbital spaceflight. Space is vast, beautiful, and full of the unexpected.

1:07.2

Taking a moment to look beyond our daily routines and reflect on its mysteries can be a powerful escape.

1:14.0

Join me on this journey of discovery.

1:16.3

Subscribe to Scientific American today at siam.com slash getsyam.

1:21.3

Music For Scientific American Science Quickly, I'm Rachel Feldman. I love spending time in nature, but that can feel hard to do when you live in a city.

1:53.2

Even out in the suburbs, it's tough to feel like you're really outside when you're outside.

1:58.5

But if you start thinking like an urban naturalist, you can find wildlife

2:02.6

to appreciate everywhere you go. My guest today is Ryan Mandelbaum. They're a science writer,

2:08.7

naturalist, and educator based in New York City. Their new book, Wild NYC, is a guide to exploring

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